Road condition south of San Felipe Baja

Road widening between Sto Tomás and San Telmo on the carratera transpennsular (Mex 1) is finished. One section is now 110 Km/Hr speed limit. Many potholes north of the entronque (junction) at Arturo Grosso's rancho) (all the land around there belongs to him).

On Mex 1 NORTH of the junction, many many many bache's (pot holes). Rained last two days. Potholes are going to become monsters before the bacheros (pot hole filling team) can get to them. Many are through asphalt down to substrate. Tire destroyers.

Well I made it,no flats, and stopped for a beer at Coco's corner. I think it took me about an hour, maybe 45 min. I will time it when I get back. I aired down to 40 rear and 30 front, had the tires filled up at the llantera when arriving at the hwy1. I also took the road from San Ignacio to San Juanico on the north road through the salt flats, that was about 80 miles of dirt, much bigger journey, a lot more remote. Aired down the tires for that journey too.

My Espanol is also bad. But pics in the videos are worth a thousand words.

rocmoc n AZ

My Espanol is poco-poco, but it sounds like Treinte y Uno kilometros of really bad stretch at the moment. 20 miles. About 2-3 hours.

A couple more videos,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yp5CHVt3iIc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkdwLa_oJhU&feature=youtu.be

rocmoc n AZ

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
My friends, Mexicanos grumble loudly about the FOUR PLUS HOURS needed between Lazaro Cardenas and Ensenada.

The remaining unfinished stretch of Hwy 5 can easily take that long - this stretch alone. This is under normal circumstances, i.e. no rain or blown tires. Peaceful, less crowded, yes.

Coming from places like Mexicali this shortcut is kind of a natural choice, though not really faster.

The mitigating factor often overlooked is what the weather has done to that road. In Jan - Feb five inches of rain fell closing that road until the vados dried out. Leaving the terreceria rippled and grooved. Fear is a specific word oriented toward causing frequently irrational panic. Caution is advice designed to help to assist.

Mex 5 at Rancho Grosso is certainly passable.

Chofers con traylors use this route when their destination lends itself toward Mexicali. Like it or not the section of Mex 1 between Lazaro Cardenas and north of Ensenada is an official pain-in-the-butt. Last trip that route I tried counting oncoming cars and lost track somewhere above 400. The droves of school busses used to haul campesinos to the fields will number in the dozens and their speed is around 10 mph. My friends, Mexicanos grumble loudly about the FOUR PLUS HOURS needed between Lazaro Cardenas and Ensenada. Oh wait a minute I forgot to mention the dozen miles of torn up detours between Camalu and Sto Tomas. All 10 mph in a sedan.

The gulf route is peaceful. At dusk at Alfonsinas if the gate is shut, shout if you need service of hotel or food.

And have a great trip. The terreceria spans one of the last pristine areas of the peninsula. Stunning scenery

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
"Keep in mind that just because someone has the word "mexico" in some form in their handle does not necessarily mean they know what they are talking about on this forum"

Even though they live there and travel that road several times a year. I never criticize the poster only incorrect information. I will be seeing that road AGAIN 3 May. Last visit 3 February. I even drop the tire pressure on the toad from 35 PSI to 20 lbs and slow to 40 kPh. I cannot afford blown tires. I have seen Mexican drivers take that section airborne at 120 kPh.

That all may be so. But the fact is that so often fear and exaggeration is bandied about needlessly. That road is just not that bad. Rough yes but certainly doable in anything from a car to a class A motorhome to tractor trailers. And whether you air down your tires or not is up to you but it is certainly NOT necessary to make that trip.

You can see & hear the condition of the road in two videos just posted on Youtube by His and Hers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDSyxCWu_JE and Boondockabillies https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evNjgFvRvA4&list=PL6-r-2BW1T90-Nd_-zIdcJ5RnpTK5cBs1

rocmoc n AZ

"Keep in mind that just because someone has the word "mexico" in some form in their handle does not necessarily mean they know what they are talking about on this forum"

Even though they live there and travel that road several times a year. I never criticize the poster only incorrect information. I will be seeing that road AGAIN 3 May. Last visit 3 February. I even drop the tire pressure on the toad from 35 PSI to 20 lbs and slow to 40 kPh. I cannot afford blown tires. I have seen Mexican drivers take that section airborne at 120 kPh.